■ Helpless ■ Gilbert Blythe ■

Parting of Ways

■■■

"I can't seem to find my book, you know, the very important one. Maybe we should cancel the carriage and postpone the plans for a week. It has seemed to disappear." Hamilton explained as he stopped himself on top of the stairs.

The rest of the Edwards groaned.

"You've been at it since yesterday, darling. Might I remind you that you're studying to be a doctor and not an actor." Caroline added.

The frown on Hamilton's face seemed to be carved in. Since the morning of the day before, Hamilton was quiet and wore a look of a puppy which was kicked. Even his hair seems to be having a hard time and is suffering.

Hamilton silently walked down the house steps, his gaze onto the floor and his right hand fiddling with a random thread on his coat.

"Hamilton, chin up. You shouldn't be this down, you should be chuffed!" His father said as he tried to lift his spirits.

Hamilton finally locked eyes with him and Benedict was shocked to see him about to burst crying. The smile on his face quickly fell to worry when he saw the sadness that his son was conveying.

"Hamilton, what's wrong?" Benedict asked. "I don't want to go, please. I know that this is a good opportunity and I was so happy at first."

"But now it feels like my heart is just seconds away from being ripped out by the distance that there will be between us. And I'm afraid that I'll start crying and I'll be sobbing so hard that the thin threads that are barely keeping my heart from collapsing will be cut." Hamilton described, still fiddling with his coat.

"That was one of the least idiotic things that have ever come out from your mouth." Edward stated, finally speaking up. Hamilton let out a chuckle, laughing through the tears that started to stream down his face.

"Hamilton, if you want to stay, no one is going to stop you. You can choose to stay here or go to Charlotte town and we won't judge you." Victoria explained. Hamilton refused to look at her again and stared at his shoes instead.

"But I don't think you should give up before you even start. You worked so hard for this, a year or two and you can become an actual doctor. You'll be able to help people and make a better place for others. And that's such a beautiful thing that many would like to do. It would be a shame to let an opportunity to waste." When Hamilton noticed that his sister was finished, he looked up at her.

"But is all of that worth it if I'll be in such misery of being so far away from you?" Hamilton asked. "You can't always get everything, Hamilton. And I think you're making a fuss. Charlotte town is about a few hours or even less away. It's not like we'll be an ocean away." Benedict added.

"Of course we'll miss you a lot but as long as you'll be getting the best in life than we won't complain." Caroline said.

"Plus," Edward interjected. "It's not like you're signing an official contract or something if you go and try and don't like it, you can always leave. No one would stop you."

Hamilton stared at Victoria again and the girl simply smiled and nodded. Hamilton took in a deep breath and wiped the tears with his sleeve.

Then he moved forward and hugged his father. "I'm sorry about that, for acting like such a baby," then he moved to his mother. "And I'm sorry if I worried you but I promise you." He leaned down, lifted Edward up and squashed him against his chest. "I'll make you proud, and I'll work as hard as I can."